The UK's forgotten F1 driver

It's more than three decades since Brian Henton set his sole F1 fastest lap in the British GP. SAM SMITH reassesses an overlooked talent

He was a champion in British Formula 3, European F2 and an F1 driver for Lotus, Tyrrell, Toleman and Arrows. Yet today the name Brian Henton barely registers an acknowledgement in discussions or lists of great British racing drivers.

An on/off coruscating presence in F1 from 1975 to 1983, Henton had perhaps the best CV of any British driver from that period. What is more, most of the people that worked with him, including one of the most decorated engineers/designers in F1, attest to a significant talent.